Autophagy in the initial stage is unrelated to the composition of beclin 1 complex

March 25th, 2014

EGFP-SOD1 G93A formed large aggregates in the cytoplasm of live NSC34 cells. The arrows indicate an intracellular aggregate. SOD1: Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1; G93A: glycine 93 changed to alanine. EGFP: enhanced green fuorescent protein. Credit: Neural Regeneration Research

Alteration of the autophagic process is involved in neurodegeneration.

The beclin 1 complex is shown to play a key role in the initial stage of autophagy. Dr. Yanming Wei and co-coworkers from College of Life Science, Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University in China pointed out the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 G93A mutant can upregulate autophagic activity in NSC34 cells, but that this does not markedly affect beclin 1 complex components.

The relevant paper has been published in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 9, No. 1, 2014).

More information:
Wei YM. Autophagic induction of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 G93A mutant in NSC34 cells. Neural Regen Res. 2014;9(1):16-24.

Provided by Neural Regeneration Research